Malaysian web surfers can look forward to more localised Internet content and services now that popular search-engine company Google Inc has opened office in Malaysia.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (Bernama)

Search engine giant, Google, will soon increase investments in Southeast Asia to serve users and advertisers and, to take advantage of the phenomenal growth expected in the number of Internet users.

Google’s Southeast Asia Managing Director Julian Persaud said the investments included the opening of its Kuala Lumpur office Wednesday which was in line with Google’s commitment to provide Malaysians with local products.

He said Malaysia has now reached 17 million Internet users and high growth was expected from the wireless markets as the online environment in Malaysia was growing rapidly with significant developments taking place in both broadband Internet access and e-commerce activities.

“We are pleased to establish our newest operations here where we can draw from the highest quality local talent to further help our users find the information they are looking for and help Malaysian businesses succeed,” he told reporters after the opening of the Kuala Lumpur office by Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir here Wednesday.

Google opened an office in Singapore and South Korea in 2007.

In the next few days, Persaud said, on line job-seekers in Malaysia would soon be able to surf for employment opportunities and vacancies in the sales, marketing and public relations areas via http://www.google.com.my/jobs.

In welcoming the opening of the local office, Mukhriz said Google’s local presence was a commitment to Malaysia and proved its suitability as a regional multimedia hub.

“We hope that Google’s entry will encourage more local business to go online and tap into international markets,” he said.

Meanwhile, Google’s Country Manager for Malaysia Sajith Sivanandan said Malaysia was a significant country in terms of its digital economy and tech-savvy population.

“We are excited about investing in Malaysia and through our search and display solutions, we hope to help small and large businesses grow. We also hope to reach new markets and contribute to economic growth.

“We also have a very engaged set of local users in Malaysia with whom we look forward to interact with much closely,” said Sivanandan who previously led Google’s online advertising business for the travel sector in Southeast Asia.

Household broadband penetration in Malaysia now stood at 55.6 per cent surpassing last year’s target of 50 per cent.

KUALA LUMPUR–Google has reaffirmed its commitment to further invest in Southeast Asia with the opening of a new office in Malaysia’s city center.

According to Julian Persaud, managing director for Google Southeast Asia, the new office here is the second in this part of the region, almost four years after establishing its first in Singapore.

“We are increasing our investments here in the region and the opening of the KL office will focus on what we can bring to local users, advertisers and our partners,” Persaud said during a media conference here Wednesday.

Asked how much the Internet giant planned to invest in Malaysia, he declined to provide details, noting only that its presence here signals the company’s intent to “further invest” in the country.

Malaysia was chosen because of its highly-skilled workforce, multicultural diversity and business-friendly environment, he said, noting that Google had previously worked on several local projects including a collaboration with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

“This step forward is inevitable and our presence here is a logical conclusion to our involvement with Malaysia,” Persaud said.

Eyeing consumers, SMBs
According to Sajith Sivanandan, Google Malaysia’s newly appointed country manager, the company’s local outlet will focus on the consumer and small and midsize business (SMB) market segments.

“For our users, we want to continue on the path of localization including bringing in features such as Google’s StreetView to Malaysia. From the business perspective, we want to help local enterprises extend their businesses through our products and services,” explained Sivanandan, who previously led the company’s Southeast Asian online advertising business for the travel sector.

Noting that the cost of advertising and promotions is still too high for many SMBs, he said Google hopes to reduce the barrier of entry for smaller enterprises and provide the platform that will enable local SMBs to reach out to customers worldwide.

The search company’s local office is located in the city center and it is looking to recruit new hires, Sivanandan said. “We are looking for smart analytical people and those who are interested to join a startup environment.

“The roles we’re looking at encompass client servicing, sales and marketing as well as roles in public relations and corporate communications,” he added.